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(No Model.)

F. A. HETHERINGTON. MELTING KETTLE FOR PREPARING ASPHALT.

Patented June 21, 1898.

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PATENT FREDERICK A. HETHERINGTON, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

MELTlNG-KETTLE FOR PREPARING ASPHALT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,011, dated June 21,1898.

Application filed June 24, 1897.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. HETHER- INGTON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State ofIndiana, have invented a new and useful Melting-Kettle for and Method ofPreparing Asphalt, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved melting-kettle for and method ofpreparing asphalt and other like material for paving purposes. V

The object of my invention is to provide an improved method and meansfor carrying it out whereby asphalt and other like paving materials maybe quickly melted and properly mixed without danger of burning oroverheating.

The accompanying drawings illustrate myinvention. I

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of my improved kettle. Fig. 2is a longitudinal vertical section thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional planon line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 4: indicates a furnace-set ting, in which is mountedakettle 5. Mounted within kettle 5, near the bottom thereof, are pipes6, which extend practically the entire length of the kettle and areprovided with a series of holes '7. Connected to pipes 6 and extendingupward therefrom is a pipe 8, which is passed out through the side ofthe kettle and is connected by any suitable series of pipes 9 with anair-compressor 10. Pipes 9 are led through the furnace in such positionthat the air therein will become heated as it passes through. Kettle 5is provided at its upper side with an opening 11, through which theasphalt may be introduced and the kettle may be made air-tight by meansof a head 12, which may be secured over opening 11. Extending down intothe kettle, close to the bottom thereof, is a discharge-pipe 13.

Serial No. 642,073. (No model.)

The operation is as follows: The asphalt in its usual market conditionis placed within kettle 5. Air is then forced through pipes 9, 8, and 6.As the air passes through pipes 9 it becomes heated, and as it passesout through holes 8 into the kettle it is sufficiently hot to melt theasphalt, but not hot enough to burn it. As the asphalt melts it runs tothe bottom of the kettle and gradually surrounds pipes 6 and closes thelower end of the discharge pipe. The hot air is then forced throughholes 8 and rises through the asphalt, thus agitating and thoroughlymixing it. After the asphalt has .become thoroughly melted and properlystirred by the passage of the hot air cover 12 is secured over opening11. A further supply of air passes up through the asphalt and gathers inthe top of the kettle, and thus foreesthe asphalt out through thedischarge-pipe.

It will be understood that in the above-described construction thekettle need not be mounted within a furnace-setting and that the entiremelting heat may be supplied through the pipes 6. By the introduction ofheated air into the kettle the asphalt is more evenly heated and isconstantly agitated, so that it cannot become burned.

I claim as my invention In a melting-kettle, the combination with thekettle, a suitable setting therefor containing a furnace, means forproducing a blast of air or other gas, a pipe leading from said meansaround within said furnace and into the kettle, the said pipedischarging near the bottom of the kettle,a discharge-pipe leading fromnear the bottom of thekettle, and means for rendering the kettleair-tight, substantially as described.

FREDERICK A. IIETIIERINGTON.

WVitnesses:

A. M. H001), F. A. FAHLE.

